Few neighborhoods blend sophistication and charm like San Francisco's Jackson Square.
Bound by Broadway and Washington Street to the south, Columbus Avenue to the west, and Battery Street to the east, Jackson Square is where you go for a shot of retail therapy and a stroll through streets lined with serious historical cachet.
What was once a part of the notorious Barbary Coast—a nest of brothels, bars and gambling dens during the heyday of our Gold Rush era—is now a crosshatch of spotless streets and brick buildings where cool boutiques rub shoulders with contemporary art galleries, and one can partake of a refreshing cucumber gimlet without the crush of tourists visiting nearby North Beach or Chinatown.
If you're visiting from out of town, consider booking one of 15 plush hotel rooms at the Ken Fulk–designed private social club The Battery unless, of course, you're a member already.
The Best Restaurants in Jackson Square, San Francisco
Michael and Lindsay Tusk's Cotogna.
(Courtesy of @cotogna_sf)
Fine Dining
Over the past several years, Michael and Lindsay Tusk have defined the Jackson Square dining scene. Quince (470 Pacific Ave.) nabbed a third Michelin star—plus a Green Star for its commitment to sustainability and the intimate 62-seat dining room is the perfect setting to celebrate a special occasion over the seasonal tasting menu. // A towering pile of almond wood visible from the exterior hints at the dramatic open hearth that fuels Quince's handsome sibling restaurant, Cotogna (490 Pacific Ave.). Rustic spit-roasted meats complement supple handmade pastas and an extensive wine list. // Former Sushi Ran chef Mitsunori Kusakabe introduces lesser-known sushi styles into the multi-course omakase meals at Kusakabe (584 Washington St.). The serene dining room features warm wood and exposed brick. Don't miss the sake pairings. // For something as comfortable as your favorite cashmere sweater, Kokkari Estiatorio (200 Jackson St.), famed for its hearth-warmed interior, aromatic meats, and modernized Greek cuisine, is always worth a return visit. // Bib Gourmand restaurant Trestle (531 Jackson St.) specializes in affordable and delicious three-course meals that change weekly. // Like a classic black-and-white movie, Bix (56 Gold St.) makes you want to don a suit and crack wise over a dry martini. The tucked-away locale, jacketed bartenders, and live jazz set the mood for expert cocktails and refined bites like potato "pillows" topped with crème fraîche and caviar.
Casual Eats + Drinks
Nicolas Delaroque (of now-shuttered fine dining spot Nico) and sommelier Paul Einbund's collaboration, Maison Nico(710 Montgomery St.), has mastered the art of the pâté en croûte. The épicerie's quiche, terrines, and flans are best enjoyed from stylish pink tables or as part of an at-home brunch spread. Join the Pâté Club for quarterly deliveries of the good stuff. // Slick Barbarossa Lounge(714 Montgomery St.) is a cocktail-driven bar and lounge in a former Barbary Coast jailhouse. Carefully composed drinks, including their signature seasonal grog, nod to the neighborhood’s history, while shareable eats (think charcuterie and cheese, ahi poke, and truffle popcorn) compliment the cocktails, not the other way around. // Descend into the sultry, subterranean den of Roka Bar(801 Montgomery St.) for cocktails served over hand-cut ice and a full robata and sushi menu from Roka Akor upstairs. // Bamboo Club(479 Broadway St.), a Jackson Square bar with a tiki-themed interior, has been around since 1997. Settle at the bar or outside on the lanai for a Pretty Fly for a Mai Tai, or perhaps a Volcano Bowl to share. // For a quick lunch to go, swing byYoYo’s(318 Pacific Ave.), an affordable Japanese spot with cravable udon. // Raavi (533 Jackson St.) keeps it simple, investing great care into rich, creamy North Indian-style butter chicken and saag paneer instead of the decor. // Get your daily dose of history, plus an aptly named bourbon, lemon, and honey-filled Gold Rush, at the Old Ship(298 Pacific Ave.), an SF institution since 1851. Way back when, it operated out of the remains of a damaged ship. // Old Ship's sister bar High Horse(582 Washington St.)welcomes cocktail connoisseurs into its historic 1903 space. A gilded ceiling and illuminated bar with a brick wall backdrop create the perfect mood for sipping cocktails like pisco punch and gourmet bites. // Mornings are best started with a cup of joe from Blue Bottle Coffee(909 Montgomery St.). // Postscript (499 Jackson St.) has artisan, small-batch goods for every time of day: House-roasted coffee and fresh baked pastries in the morning; nourishing made-to-order meals and juices midday; and wine, cheese, curated pantry provisions to ring in the evening. // If you like it big and meaty, Gambino’s New York Subs (799 Battery St.) has your number, with classics like chicken parm and BBQ pulled pork at lunch, and thick burritos and sandos at breakfast.
Art & Antiques in SF's Jackson Square
Multidisciplinary gallery, 836M.
(Courtesy of @836m_art)
One would be remiss to not check out at least one gallery when you're in the area. Jackson Square remains a bit of a locus for contemporary art . The beautifully allocated Gallery Japonesque (824 Montgomery St.) is home to compelling work by artists of Japanese heritage including Masatoshi Izumi, Akihiro Isogai, and Hiromichi Iwashita. // Just a few steps down is Simon Breitbard Fine Arts(843 Montgomery St.), a private gallery and art consulting firm run by Stephanie Breitbard. If you aren't sure which to pick, defer to the extensive expertise of their in-house consulting team of talented women. // Those looking for something a little more historical will find plenty to inspire them at Foster-Gwin Art & Antiques (38 Hotaling Pl.). Amble through the high-ceilinged rooms stocked with a beautifully curated collection of Greco-Roman antiquities placed alongside cutting-edge modern art. // Contemporary realism and abstraction works by American and international artists like Jack Wolfe, Sara Gallagher, and Anne Leone are on view at CK Contemporary(246 Powell St.). // Housed in an 1854 bank building, William Stout Architectural Books (804 Montgomery St.) is a design-lover's mecca, piled high with both current and rare titles of architecture, art, and every design discipline under the sun. // 836M(836 Montgomery St.) is a thought-provoking gallery that offers more than just art-for-purchase. At their Jackson Square space, you’ll find a wide range of multidisciplinary exhibitions and performances that include everything from dance to distinguished guest speakers.
Shopping in Jackson Square, San Francisco
Contemporary cool womens' boutique, Lan Jaenicke.
(Courtesy of @lanjaenicke)
Stoke your home envy at the SF showroom of Danish furniture label Fritz Hansen(440 Jackson St.), which stocks seating, lighting, accessories, and more in minimalist Scandinavian style. // Then, head to Shinola (53 Hotaling Pl.), an airy, wood-lined space stocked with handsome leather accessories, heavy-duty commuter bags, slick bicycles, and iconic timepieces all made in Detroit. // Saunter through Shinola and you'll find yourself in the domain of its brother brand, Filson (722 Montgomery St.), another proudly American-made label of rugged outdoor wear since 1897. Pick up one of their sturdy canvas and leather bags, crafted from heavyweight twill, or slip on a classic field parka. // At Feit (406 Jackson St.), they craft bespoke leather shoes that are built to last—and repair them if they don’t. // It girls love the spacious Isabel Marant boutique (455 Jackson St.), home to both the French label's covetable main line as well as its more youthful (and slightly lower-priced) Etoile collection. Pick up an embellished blouson or a pair of boots, or just feast your eyes on the beautiful clothes in their gallery-like environs. // Chic wardrobe essentials—think graphic tees and structured blazers—line the racks at cool-girl-approved, SoCal-based brand Anine Bing(412 Jackson St.). // Just down the street, Australian label Zimmerman(458-460 Jackson St.) stocks feminine dresses and blouses worthy of your next vacation or special event. // Casual goes luxe at menswear brand Thom Browne (432 Jackson St.), the American designer known for his iconic gray suit, with modern tailoring that challenges traditional gender stereotypes and proportions. // Cultivate contemporary cool at Lan Jaenicke(431 Jackson St.). The designer handcrafts simple, beautiful womens’ garments with classic elegance and quality that will last a lifetime. // Schott NYC(619 Sansome St) is an all-American success story dating back to 1913. The SF flagship sells one-of-a-kind pieces for both men and women, handmade in the U.S. of A. // Ladies looking for stylish basics with French flair can head over to A.P.C.(407 Jackson St.). // Aēsop(445 Jackson St.) houses a collection of high-quality, plant based fragrances, skin, and hair products. // The U.S. flagship store for the Japanese technical apparel brand Goldwin(444 Jackson St.) connects outdoor and city life, offering performance wear with a distinct fashion sensibility.
